2020 End-of-Year High School Camp

14th - 16th December, White Rock Camping Area on the Upper Allyn River.

Day 1 :
The weather predictions were for rain and possible storms, and on our way to camp we drove through a good downpour.  On arrival, however, there was just a light mist and we set up tarps and tents and took the opportunity to go for a river walk and swim upstream from the camp before returning to an evening meal prepared and served by years 11 and 12.

That night after dinner we went for a short walk downstream and saw an amazing firefly display - tiny lights floating gently through the trees. When we returned to camp the red-eyed tree frogs were in full chorus - they sound like lambs for one call and have a chirruping sound for another call. Listen to the video!​

​Day 2 :
After a rainy night and early morning and some sorting of wet tents and singing under the shelter of our large tarps we drove to Mt Allyn for a walk to the lookout there. It was an eventful drive and we stopped for a beautiful diamond python, which was crossing the road, as well as a bit of mud!

Of course it was very misty at the top, but well worth the walk and by this time the rain was persistent and occasionally heavy. The afternoon came good with some beautiful glimpses of blue sky. We did a short walk down to the bridge to see the change in the flow of the river (which was very impressive) and some did the extra kilometre to see the amazing strangler fig that the students could climb inside. The buses took students to Lady's Well, where there was some jumping and swimming into the non flowing section.

At night time the year 9 and 10 classes did the cooking and cleaning and we enjoyed more singing around the camp fire. A few stars appeared as the sky became more clear.
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Day 3:
The weather was perfect! The year 7 and 8 classes prepared the food for the day with an extravagant breakfast of potato cakes and curried cauliflower (as well as weet-bix and muesli. After making the hard decision to pack up early and have the rest of the day free for swimming and walking on the other side of the range we took the buses to the top of Lagoon Pinch Road so that we could do the Rocky Crossing walk alongside the Williams River and call in to the many beautiful swimming places along the way. It was very like paradise with blue sky, large shady trees and the sparkling freshness of the water, which was flowing nearly clear again.

​All-in-all a very beautiful camp.
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Thank you everyone!
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